Haiti President to Meet Obama on US Aid

As Haiti struggles with the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, Haitian President Rene Preval is meeting with President Obama at the White House today to talk about how the US can aid the impoverished island nation's economic recovery. Preval's visit to Washington comes as US lawmakers look into trade benefits to help rebuild Haiti's economy, especially its apparel manufacturing sector.

International aid to Haiti must address "not just the immediate short-term needs, but we must also work toward the long term," Preval said yesterday after meeting with Hillary Clinton. The Senate has already issued a call for a national recovery and development strategy for Haiti, as well as for international financial institutions to offer Haiti debt relief; more favorable trade conditions may also be in the works, reports Voice of America.
(More Rene Preval stories.)